Record last updated 2025/08/29 Comment on this info .Update this info

Narrative

The Advocacy Department is primarily responsible to support people served by Berkshire has the very important responsibility of initial contact with individuals and families at their request of services.  Quite often families will use the advocacy staff’s skill for many years of advocacy.

Advocacy services include:

• Intake Services
• Educational Advocacy
• Self Advocacy
• Citizen Advocacy
• Public Benefit Coordination
• Human Rights
• Family Advocacy
• Respite Services
• Information and Referral
• Family Support Center serving Central & Southern Berkshire County
• Adult Family Care Program
• Family Resource Library
• Spring & Summer Camps
• Recreational activities for teens & young adults
• Down Syndrome Family Support Group 

Berkshire County Arc Master Special Needs Pooled Trust & Berkshire County Arc Special Needs Family Pooled Trust

Berkshire County Arc first implemented a therapeutic recreation program for children with autism and other sensory processing disorders in 2006 through a mini-grant from the Department of Developmental Services (DDS).  Since that time, Berkshire County Arc has used fundraising and grants from private foundations to continue the program for approximately 20 children between the ages of 5 and 18.  Therapeutic recreation activities based on sensory integration techniques are used to help children to learn new ways of processing information.  The program consists of one-hour sessions each Saturday morning.

Service Types

• After School Programs
• Case Management
• Disability Awareness
• Family Support
• Financial Assistance
• Job Training
• Self-Advocacy
• Skills Training
• Socialization Activities

Program Type

• Adult Foster Care
• Advocacy
• Counseling
• Education
• Financial Planning
• Legal
• Personal Care
• Respite
• Self-Advocacy Training
• Support Groups

Populations Served

• All Disabilities
• Autism Spectrum
• Behavior Disorder
• Birth Defects
• Chromosome Disorders
• Developmental Disability
• Hard of Hearing
• Intellectual Disabilities
• Physical Disabilities
• Visual Impairment

Ages Served

• Birth to 3
• 3 - 4
• 5 - 8
• 9 - 13
• 14 - 18
• 19 - 22
• 23 – 59
• 60 +

Accessibility Features

• Accessible Parking
• Accessible Restrooms
• Medical Needs
• Near Public Transportation
• Wheelchair Ramps

Additional Information

• Accredited By: DDS, CARF
• Fees: Free Service, Personal Funds
• Licensed By: DDS